Joliet gym brings exercise, interaction to children with special needs

JOLIET – Two years ago, Don and Allyson Adlfinger found a way to get their son, Jacob, physically active.

While searching the internet, they came across Superstarz Gymnastics, which at the time was a new organization. Led by lifelong gymnast Lisa Convalle, the growing organization offers gymnastics and tumbling classes to children and teens with special needs, including, but not limited to, autism, sensory processing disorder and developmental delays.

Since he started with Superstarz Gymnastics, Jacob, who has autism, has developed core strength and muscle tone, Don said, as it can be difficult to find activities for children with these disorders. Jacob’s overall physical ability has improved greatly.

Also, he has something to look forward to twice each week.

“He absolutely loves it,” Don said. “And he couldn’t have a better coach.”

Convalle was an active gymnast from 2 or 3 years old until she broke her back at 15, she said. Since then, she’s been coaching in some form or fashion, from toddlers to adults. But the special needs community is by far her favorite to be with, she said.

“There’s not enough opportunities for them, or credit given to them or their parents,” Convalle said. “There’s still this stigma that people don’t want to talk about the special needs population.”

Through gymnastics, she said children with special needs learn focus and patience while experiencing it with peers who are going through the same things.

“I hope something I do can help them feel more accepted or proud of themselves,” Convalle said.

She already has.

The underlying benefit to Jacob and other children in the classes is social activity. As Allyson explained, she and her husband were just trying to get Jacob active at a place where people would understand and accept him.

“It’s hard for him to make friends,” Allyson said. “Here, he gets to see the same kids each week. It helps him interact.”

The Adlfingers learned soon after enrolling Jacob that they weren’t alone. Many of the kids had never been invited to a friend’s birthday party prior to joining Superstarz. That was until Jacob’s last birthday at the Aspire Gymnastics Academy, which plays host to Convalle’s classes.

“Five different parents said it was the first time their child was invited to a kid’s birthday party,” Allyson said.

This isn’t just limited to Jacob, who Convalle said was her first student. His 3-year-old sister Brooke, who has sensory processing disorder, started classes in January. Don said there are two other families with multiple kids partaking in classes.

“We’re not sure what we’d do without her,” Don said. “She’s all about the kids.”

Convalle’s classes use a one-to-one peer buddy system, which encourages teamwork and socialization, and helps the students stay focused, motivated and safe, she said. The volunteers are mostly high school and college students interested in the fields of pediatric medicine, therapy or education.

Though she currently leads the program in Joliet, Convalle started in Channahon and also worked at a clinic in Diamond. She will soon expand to a gym in Woodridge, where she hopes to coach teenagers and young adults.

The goal is to have Superstarz compete in the Special Olympics next year. No matter the age, she has an inclusive policy.

“We’ve never turned anyone away,” Convalle said.

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KNOW MORE

For information about Superstarz Gymnastics or how to enroll, email Convalle at SuperstarzGymnastics@gmail.com, call 630-441-5629, visit Superstarz Gymnastics on Facebook or at superstarzgym.wordpress.com.